Which Rifle

[Deerhunter22]

So at long last the gun gods have gifted me my firearms license and shotgun. whoop whoop, happy and excited is an understatement. Walked into a gunshop today for a look at rifles only to be greeted by a what we refer to in Scotland as a Bam. Guy was rather needlessly unpleasant so won't be buying my gun there. Anyways my budget is around 1500 for a rifle alone, been looking at X bolts and Tikka's, used tikka's on my stalks before the actions nice but the stocks are a bit meh I think. Like the Mauser M12impact but I see you get an M18 for less again so not sure.

Real question I have is I have seen a Sauer 100 XTA in 6.5CM on Guntrader for £700 with a moderator which is very tempting but it says it has some pitting in the barrel ? Im not entirely sure what that means and im guessing it means damage and if so is that rifle best to be avoided, i.e is it shot out ? IDK.
Dk whether to just buy something new, but at £700 to get my foot in the door on what is otherwise a decent rifle its tempting.

Cheers

 

[Drum123]

Personally I wouldn't even look at a pitted barrel unless I was buying with the budget behind me to rebarrel if needed.

 

[Deerhunter22]

Personally I wouldn't even look at a pitted barrel unless I was buying with the budget behind me to rebarrel if needed.

Much you think that would be ? Probably best avoided then, sometimes deals are too good and I really cba buying it and then having to get rid of it and waiting for 1 for 1 to be done.

Never mind had a Quick Look online, at over 1 k to re-barrel I think ill avoid it like the plague lol

 

[Drum123]

Much you think that would be ? Probably best avoided then, sometimes deals are too good and I really cba buying it and then having to get rid of it and waiting for 1 for 1 to be done.

Not sure what it would cost to rebarrel that particular rifle but I can safely say more than your initial outlay of £700 .Avoid it. Plenty of rifles for sale that haven't got pitted barrels.

 

[Scottb123]

Unfortunately it’s a big gamble in the second hand market as if it turns out to be a lemon it’s hassle of a variation and down time I run 3 tikka a sako 85 and a m12 and cz 527 pound for pound I don’t think you will go wrong with the tikka or the Mauser which being a tikka sako fan for years I really rate the m12 I’ve got in 30,06 also bear in mind if you do want to add a different stock later down the road stick with a tikka I had a loverly sako 75 in 243 but limited aftermarket stock option I do think know the tikka is the perfect do all rifle don’t like the stock plenty of options and a good solid action to rebarrel and make into what you want also if set on second hand I would rather a stainless rifle as chances are if it seem a rod know and again the barrel shouldn’t be too bad all of my preferred shops these days won’t take a rifle in without borescoping it

 

[Jack3]

I almost went for a Mauser M12 but opted for a Sauer 100 in 6.5cm. Preferred the look and feel. Ultimately very similar to the M12, worth a look! Highly recommend.

 

[andyk]

I would agree - avoid anything with pitting. It’s not that a pitted rifle won’t shoot, I’ve got one that does and have had others. However, you’re ‘ ‘stacking the deck’ against yourself.

If the price is really good then perhaps but have in mind that a decent new barrel is c£1k and you’ll be waiting a few months.

Edit - I have a feeling the Sauer 100 barrel is essentially a push fit which makes a new barrel more expensive as the ‘smith will likely need to thread the action to make it work.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Having trawled Guntrader at least twice a day for the last 12-months I feel confident in saying the Op can find a wholly serviceable and frankly delightful previously owned rifle for half his budget.

K

 

[nf-fuse]

So at long last the gun gods have gifted me my firearms license and shotgun. whoop whoop, happy and excited is an understatement. Walked into a gunshop today for a look at rifles only to be greeted by a what we refer to in Scotland as a Bam. Guy was rather needlessly unpleasant so won't be buying my gun there. Anyways my budget is around 1500 for a rifle alone, been looking at X bolts and Tikka's, used tikka's on my stalks before the actions nice but the stocks are a bit meh I think. Like the Mauser M12impact but I see you get an M18 for less again so not sure.

Real question I have is I have seen a Sauer 100 XTA in 6.5CM on Guntrader for £700 with a moderator which is very tempting but it says it has some pitting in the barrel ? Im not entirely sure what that means and im guessing it means damage and if so is that rifle best to be avoided, i.e is it shot out ? IDK.
Dk whether to just buy something new, but at £700 to get my foot in the door on what is otherwise a decent rifle its tempting.

Cheers

Loads of guns on the market these days so no need to compromise too much if you're not certain.

Mauser and tika are nice

 

[Deerhunter22]

Unfortunately it’s a big gamble in the second hand market as if it turns out to be a lemon it’s hassle of a variation and down time I run 3 tikka a sako 85 and a m12 and cz 527 pound for pound I don’t think you will go wrong with the tikka or the Mauser which being a tikka sako fan for years I really rate the m12 I’ve got in 30,06 also bear in mind if you do want to add a different stock later down the road stick with a tikka I had a loverly sako 75 in 243 but limited aftermarket stock option I do think know the tikka is the perfect do all rifle don’t like the stock plenty of options and a good solid action to rebarrel and make into what you want also if set on second hand I would rather a stainless rifle as chances are if it seem a rod know and again the barrel shouldn’t be too bad all of my preferred shops these days won’t take a rifle in without borescoping it

Dems the risks I guess with second hand anything, is what it is but as you say my fear is 2nd hand for my only Centrefire rifle I have the now on my license and having to fart around to change it down the line on discovering its a lemon. So maybe for a 1st Centrefire I should just suck it up and go new. Maybe wiser

 

[nf-fuse]

Got to say I also quite like the feel of the xbolt in the gun shop.

 

[Deerhunter22]

Got to say I also quite like the feel of the xbolt in the gun shop.

I just truthfully like the look of the stock and supposedly can now buy the X bolt in stainless aswell which is attractive but never got to hold it today because the guy was in a rush to get away to whatever idk so sadly can't say how it feels.

 

[NullMac]

but the stocks are a bit meh I think

A common problem.

The problem with second hand is the round count and how well it has been looked after. If it looks tatty guess what the bore is likely to be like ?

If it’s not cleaned then the bore less than ideal. Have a look at the crown. Again if it’s tatty…

Given round count calibre choice is important. Buying a keepers 22-250 or 243 is a bit of a risk, but it’s hard for anybody to shoot out a 308. Same for a creed i would have thought, they are not the hottest rounds out there, so 6.5x55 Swede etc.

You will get some excellent monster magnums like 338 Win Mag that supposedly have only done 50 rounds. Lies. Probably less than 20 but nobody wants to seem like a big girl or need a set of false teeth.

Seriously though the other thing to be wary of is the stock design. There are synthetic stocks and there a plastic stocks ! If the front end is easy to move into contact with the barrel move on by, they are nothing but trouble. A laminate will be weather resistant and solid so worth a look (as are proper synthetic stocks) However the main issue with older stock designs is that they are designed for shooting with iron sights but with a scope on they aren’t the best. Easy fixed with a comb riser maybe but be aware if that before your press the button

Cheaper rifles often save cost with the stock quality, so you get what you pay for in some ways.

People buy Tikka cos they shoot and are good value (check the stocks though they are variable quality). Mauser M12 looks like a decent bit of kit but I have never owned one.

 

[slider]

Lots of decent new guns available in your price range, I think any new mass market gun will shoot well straight out the box. Get yourself into a shop with a decent selection and handle them - Tikka, Browning, Sako, Sauer, Mauser. the way it feels in your hands will tell you which one is right.

that's what I did when I bought my first rifle, took my time and gradually put each one back on the shelf. Ended up with a Browning X bolt stainless, which I love. I have since bought a used Tikka T3 in the same caliber to use with a NV scope - a serviceable enough rifle but I much prefer my Browning.

 

[VSS]

It's a buyer's market, where 2nd hand firearms are concerned.
If you're patient, you'll get exactly what you want for a fraction of what you were expecting to have to pay.

 

[Navarone]

Think it's a bit ridiculous to say don't buy a rifle with pitting...because of moderators there are plenty of used rifles out there which have done very, very little work and are pitted-they shoot just fine and will last for years and years and 1000s of rounds. Sure if something is totally battered and shot out that is different but you'll see that immediately. You have to remember that with deer cals especially the majority of us are hobbyists and move on our rifles way way before they are shot out etc...as said above it's a buyers market and you can get something way nicer than a new tikka for much less than your budget. If you buy from a reputable dealer it's a no brainer to go second hand imo.

My story- I'm a lefty so a bit different as there is less choice. I bought a SH schultz and larsen classic dl (switch barrel system). I paid 650£ a bargain. The barrel has some pitting but at the rate I shoot deer it could last me another 20 years, it shoots excellently. Schultz barrels are 1100 and some of the best you can buy so when I inevitably get a hole in my pocket and want to spend some money I will probably get a new barrel for it and I've still not spent half of what it would be new. I've basically paid 650 for an action which is far and away above the quality of a tikka, you can do the same with something else, shoot it for a while and see where you get to-you'll eventually get an itch to buy soemthing new anyway I doubt you are buying a rifle for life first up.

 

[Essexsussex]

If the OP is in Edinburgh or anywhere nearby, I’d go to Edinburgh rifles (on here) who has a good reputation and see what second hand delights he has.
Or any one of several gun shops with good reputation, if you tell us where you are near there will recommendations.

 

[Deerhunter22]

A common problem.

The problem with second hand is the round count and how well it has been looked after. If it looks tatty guess what the bore is likely to be like ?

If it’s not cleaned then the bore less than ideal. Have a look at the crown. Again if it’s tatty…

Given round count calibre choice is important. Buying a keepers 22-250 or 243 is a bit of a risk, but it’s hard for anybody to shoot out a 308. Same for a creed i would have thought, they are not the hottest rounds out there, so 6.5x55 Swede etc.

You will get some excellent monster magnums like 338 Win Mag that supposedly have only done 50 rounds. Lies. Probably less than 20 but nobody wants to seem like a big girl or need a set of false teeth.

Seriously though the other thing to be wary of is the stock design. There are synthetic stocks and there a plastic stocks ! If the front end is easy to move into contact with the barrel move on by, they are nothing but trouble. A laminate will be weather resistant and solid so worth a look (as are proper synthetic stocks) However the main issue with older stock designs is that they are designed for shooting with iron sights but with a scope on they aren’t the best. Easy fixed with a comb riser maybe but be aware if that before your press the button

Cheaper rifles often save cost with the stock quality, so you get what you pay for in some ways.

People buy Tikka cos they shoot and are good value (check the stocks though they are variable quality). Mauser M12 looks like a decent bit of kit but I have never owned one.

Shot a Mauser M12 with a guide once and it was a nice rifle, his was chambered in .308 but it was nice and a good action but I wasn't overly keen on the safety switch. Its the same with the Bergaras, there nice guns, nice stocks imo but the bolt isn't locked I don't think regardless of safety position so if your walking around with it with a round chambered even with full safety on if the bolt catches a branch in dense woodland it could open up and fall down letting the round fall out, unlikely but possible Not locked in when on safe like a Tikka

 

[Deerhunter22]

If the OP is in Edinburgh or anywhere nearby, I’d go to Edinburgh rifles (on here) who has a good reputation and see what second hand delights he has.
Or any one of several gun shops with good reputation, if you tell us where you are near there will recommendations.

Im in fife so pretty central to a lot of gun shops, going to take a wonder to Cluny rifles next I think

 

[Deerhunter22]

Think it's a bit ridiculous to say don't buy a rifle with pitting...because of moderators there are plenty of used rifles out there which have done very, very little work and are pitted-they shoot just fine and will last for years and years and 1000s of rounds. Sure if something is totally battered and shot out that is different but you'll see that immediately. You have to remember that with deer cals especially the majority of us are hobbyists and move on our rifles way way before they are shot out etc...as said above it's a buyers market and you can get something way nicer than a new tikka for much less than your budget. If you buy from a reputable dealer it's a no brainer to go second hand imo.

My story- I'm a lefty so a bit different as there is less choice. I bought a SH schultz and larsen classic dl (switch barrel system). I paid 650£ a bargain. The barrel has some pitting but at the rate I shoot deer it could last me another 20 years, it shoots excellently. Schultz barrels are 1100 and some of the best you can buy so when I inevitably get a hole in my pocket and want to spend some money I will probably get a new barrel for it and I've still not spent half of what it would be new. I've basically paid 650 for an action which is far and away above the quality of a tikka, you can do the same with something else, shoot it for a while and see where you get to-you'll eventually get an itch to buy soemthing new anyway I doubt you are buying a rifle for life first up.

I know this is the thing, I doubt this will be my first and last rifle which is why the Sauer was tempting but again im not wanting to buy something thats totally unusable and going to cause me to get a 1 for 1. I wouldn't have thought a reputable dealer would be trying to sell shot out rifles but then im new to the game and we all know what business's are like big or small.
That Sauer is based in Cambridge and ill be travelling there somewhat soon in the next month for a work course so was tempting to see it then but then again ive zero interest in waiting too see a shot out rifle and waste my time